Middlesbrough councillor Tracy Harvey will contest the currently Labour-held Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland seat in the general election on June 8.

Cllr Harvey, who represents Newport and is the authority’s executive member for environment, said: “I’ve lived here all my life so am really thrilled to have been selected as the Labour candidate for our area.

“I’m looking forward to getting out and campaigning for Labour against the Tories who are doing so much damage.

“This Tory government has overseen the biggest cuts to our public services in a generation. The NHS and social care is in crisis, our schools are struggling under the weight of the budget cuts and cuts to police budgets are putting our safety at risk.

“If elected I will stand up for local people and be a strong voice in Westminster.”

Cllr Harvey came under fire in August 2014 after The Gazette revealed she claimed £2.80 of expenses to make the seven mile trip from her home to a Remembrance Day parade.

Tom Blenkinsop

She also claimed £3.20 of taxpayers’ money to watch the Olympic Torch arrival, £2.80 to attend a Christmas concert and £4.80 to attend Armed Forces Day.

Her selection comes after incumbent MP Tom Blenkinsop decided he would not seek reelection just moments after Prime Minister Theresa May announced a snap general election.

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Labour hold the Middlesbrough South seat with a slim majority of just 2,268 votes and it is seen as a key battleground, with the Conservatives listing it as one of their top targets.

South Tees Conservatives are expected to decided their candidate at a meeting of party members tonight (April 28).

Two former 2015 parliamentary candidates - Will Goodhand, who fought Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, and Simon Clarke, who fought Middlesbrough - will battle it out with the managing director of Coles Solicitors Peter Gibson for the nomination.